Philip, what do you think of Kevin Duffus and his Blackbeard book. The family named Beard, The connection to Tobias, the tunnel leading from the water to the house..??? It could be. There really is NO real record of Teache or Teach coming fro Bristol...but the Bath connection is a real possibility...anyway, like the 'lost colony'.....if and when they ever find who he is or they discover that the colony is now not lost the mysteries will be lost themselves. What would be the point of the 'lost' colony play after it's discovery. Let the orgy stand and the colony stay lost. All in all it's great fun to think about the past...good subject Philip. thanks...a daily reader for years.

Kevin Duffus has done some wonderful research about Black Beard (I am using his designation), and he is quite convincing. The connection to coastal North Carolina (rather than Bristol) makes so much sense. I highly recommend his book, The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate.

The woodcut was made 20 years after the event. Was the woodcut created by an eye witness? Do you know how difficult it is to carve a piece of wood for such a print, with such detail no less? I find it difficult to believe that these hard working independent contractors (pirates) when seeking an opportunity to visit the wealthiest port in the Colonies- Charleston would seek some R&R in a remote mosquito infested island. Why is it hard to believe that these "pirates" were not employed as muscle for some of the wealthiest people in town and were not entertained or housed by the elite in Charleston where there was plenty to do. This legend of nomadic life on the seas does not ring true to me. It is a cover story to protect the upperclass. Pardons are not handed out willy nilly. DD

The woodcut was made 119 years after the event! I'm sure the artist was not an eye witness. Blackbeard and his crew seem to have been well connected with the upper class in coastal North Carolina, but there is no evidence they had the same relationship with the elite in Charleston.